8
泳
Swim
およぐ (oyogu)
JLPT N3
Interesting Fact
You might imagine samurai training only with swords and horses, but some Japanese warriors also trained in specialized swimming techniques. 🏊♂️ During the Edo period, several traditional swimming schools (日本泳法) developed techniques designed for warriors rather than competitive racing. They practiced swimming while wearing armor-like clothing, carrying weapons, or even using swimming techniques suited to crossing rivers. Some of these traditional styles are still practiced in Japan today.
Memory Trick
“💦 Seeing water(水) flowing in a stream makes you want to jump in and swim—that’s 泳!”
Readings
Onyomi: エイ (ei)
Kunyomi: およぐ (oyogu)
Example Words
泳ぐ
およぐ (oyogu)
To swim
水泳
すいえい (suiei)
Swimming
競泳
きょうえい (kyouei)
Competitive swimming
遠泳
えんえい (en'ei)
Long-distance swimming
Example Sentence
私は毎週プールで泳ぎます。
わたし は まいしゅう プール で およぎます。
watashi wa maishuu puuru de oyogimasu
I swim at the pool every week.